In the US, measles has spread to at least seven states and Mexico. This is from the outbreak that began at a theme park in California. Concern is rising as the American football championship, the Super Bowl, draws near. CCTV America’s May Lee reported this story from

2015 is only a month old and according to the Centers for Disease control, the U.S. already has more measles cases than is typical in an entire year.

So far there have been 84 cases of measles, 67 linked to the Disneyland Resort in southern California where this recent outbreak began. Besides California, Disneyland linked cases are in 6 other states and Mexico.

CDC: 84 cases of measles in US, 67 linked to Disneyland in California

CDC: 84 cases of measles in US, 67 linked to Disneyland in California

In the US, measles has spread to at least seven states and Mexico. This is from the outbreak that began at a theme park in California.
Concern is rising as the American football championship, the Super Bowl, draws near. CCTV America’s May Lee reported this story from Los Angeles.

Health experts say this is a wake-up call to contain to a highly contagious disease. 90% of people who aren’t immune get sick after being around a measles infected person, which is why a handful of schools in California have temporarily banned several dozen unvaccinated students.

Although measles was eliminated in 2000 in the US, the growing controversy over the safety of vaccines led parents to skip immunizing their children.

Dr. James Cherry has studied infectious diseases for more than four decades. He says because more kids weren’t getting immunized, a measles outbreak was not a matter of if, but when.

“For overall population immunity, you need over 95% and I knew we weren’t weren’t there,” Dr. James Cherry Infectious Disease Pediatrician at UCLA said.

But it’s not just children that should take precautions. Adults are also at risk, even those who have been vaccinated. It was only in 1989 that a second measles shot was adopted to ensure 99% immunity.

“Adults who have had one dose should get a second dose. One dose administered correctly is about 95% protective, but about 5% unprotective,” Cherry said.

One place where a million adults and children will be together is Glendale, Arizona for Sunday’s Super Bowl and that has health officials on alert. There’s already fear that seven people with measles in Arizona potentially exposed about a thousand others.

It’s large events like the Super Bowl and places like Disneyland that are susceptible because measles, an airborne virus, can spread so quickly and easily. Experts said, If you think you may be infected, stay away from public places for 21 days or else this outbreak, may turn into an epidemic.